Free Guide to Dental Implant Options in Holly Ridge

Understanding Dental Implants: What They Are and How They Work

A dental implant is a replacement tooth that works like a real tooth in your mouth. It has three main parts: the implant itself (which goes into your jawbone), the abutment (which connects to the implant), and the crown (which looks like a tooth and sits on top). The implant is usually made of titanium, a metal that your body accepts well and that bonds with bone over time.

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When you lose a tooth, the bone underneath starts to shrink because it no longer has the tooth root to support it. A dental implant replaces that root. A surgeon places the implant into your jawbone during a procedure. Over the next few months, the bone grows around the implant and holds it in place. This process is called osseointegration. Once the bone has grown enough, your dentist places the crown on top. The result is a tooth replacement that feels and works much like your natural tooth.

Dental implants are different from other tooth replacement options. Bridges require grinding down healthy teeth next to the missing tooth. Dentures sit on top of your gums and can move around when you eat or talk. Implants stay fixed in place because they are anchored to your bone. They also last much longer—many implants last 20 years or more with good care, while dentures and bridges may need replacement every 5 to 10 years.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, dental implants have a success rate of about 95 to 98 percent. This means the implant bonds with the bone and works as planned in the vast majority of cases. However, success depends on several factors, including your overall health, your oral hygiene, and the skill of your dentist or surgeon.

Practical Takeaway: Before exploring implant options in Holly Ridge, understand that implants are a long-term tooth replacement that works by bonding with your jawbone. They function differently from bridges or dentures and typically last much longer.

Types of Dental Implants and Materials Available

There are several types of dental implants, and your dentist may recommend one based on your specific situation. The most common type is the endosteal implant, which is placed directly into your jawbone. These implants look like small screws and come in different shapes and sizes. Endosteal implants are used for most patients who have enough bone height and density.

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Another type is the subperiosteal implant, which sits on top of the jawbone but under the gum tissue. This type is used less often today because endosteal implants work better in most cases. However, subperiosteal implants may be an option if you do not have enough bone height and cannot or do not want bone grafting.

Zygomatic implants are longer implants that attach to the cheekbone instead of the jawbone. These are used only in special cases where a patient does not have enough jawbone and bone grafting is not an option. They are more complex to place and are performed by specialists.

When it comes to materials, titanium is the standard choice. It is strong, lightweight, and biocompatible, meaning your body does not reject it. Zirconium is another material used for implants. It is white instead of silver, which some patients prefer for appearance reasons. However, titanium has been used longer and has more research backing its long-term success.

The crown that sits on top of the implant can be made from different materials as well. Porcelain crowns look very natural and are popular for front teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are strong and look good. All-ceramic crowns are also used. Your dentist will help you choose based on where the implant is located and what matters most to you.

Practical Takeaway: Most people in Holly Ridge who need implants will receive endosteal implants made of titanium with a porcelain crown. Knowing the different types helps you understand what your dentist may recommend during a consultation.

Assessing Your Jawbone and Overall Health for Implants

Your jawbone must be healthy and strong enough to support an implant. When you lose a tooth, the bone under that tooth begins to shrink. If your tooth has been missing for a long time, there may not be enough bone left for an implant. Your dentist will examine your mouth and take X-rays or a CT scan to measure your bone. This imaging shows how much bone you have and whether it is dense enough.

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If you do not have enough bone, you may still have options. A bone graft can add bone to your jaw. The graft material can come from your own bone (taken from another part of your jaw or body), from a donor, or from a synthetic bone material. The graft material integrates with your existing bone over several months. Once enough new bone has grown, the implant can be placed. Bone grafting adds time and cost to the process, but it makes implants possible for many more people.

Your overall health matters for implants too. Certain conditions can affect how well your bone heals around the implant. Uncontrolled diabetes, for example, can slow healing. Heart disease or blood disorders may be concerns depending on your specific situation. Osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and brittle, might make implants riskier, though many people with osteoporosis still have successful implants. Smoking also affects healing. People who smoke have lower implant success rates than people who do not smoke.

You will need to discuss your medical history with your dentist before getting an implant. Be honest about any medications you take, any surgeries you have had, and any chronic conditions. Your dentist may ask you to get clearance from your doctor, especially if you have heart disease, diabetes, or other serious conditions. Some medications, like blood thinners, may need to be managed carefully during the implant procedure.

Your age does not automatically prevent you from getting implants. Older adults can have successful implants as long as they are healthy enough for the procedure. On the other hand, teenagers may need to wait until their jaws have finished growing, which usually happens by the late teenage years.

Practical Takeaway: Before pursuing an implant in Holly Ridge, you should have your jawbone examined and discuss your medical history with your dentist. If bone loss is a concern, bone grafting can be an option to make implants possible.

The Dental Implant Process: Timeline and What to Expect

The dental implant process involves several stages and typically takes several months from start to finish. The first step is consultation and planning. During this visit, your dentist examines your mouth, reviews your medical history, and takes X-rays or CT scans. You and your dentist discuss your goals, the different options for implants, what each option costs, and what timeline to expect. This is the time to ask questions and understand what is involved.

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If you need a bone graft, that is usually done first. The surgeon removes bone from one area and places it where you need it. The graft site heals over several months—typically 3 to 9 months depending on how much bone was needed. Your dentist will tell you when there is enough new bone to place the implant.

The implant placement surgery is the next major step. You receive local anesthesia (numbing medicine) so you do not feel pain, though you may feel pressure. The dentist or surgeon makes an opening in your gum and drills into the bone. The implant is then placed into the hole. The gum is closed over the implant with stitches. The whole procedure usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how many implants are being placed and how complex the case is.

After implant placement, you enter the healing phase, called osseointegration. During this time, the bone grows around the implant and locks it in place. This healing phase typically takes 3 to 6 months in the lower jaw and can take 6 months or longer in the upper jaw. During this time, you may wear a temporary tooth replacement so you do not look like you are missing a tooth, but the implant is doing its job underneath.

Once healing is complete, the dentist places the abutment (the connector piece) on the implant. This is a minor procedure done in the office with local anesthesia